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Hennepin County talks heroin at community forum

Associated Press

Posted:
04/17/2014 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated:
04/17/2014 06:46:17 AM CDT

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is holding another town hall forum to educate the community about the dangers of heroin, and tell residents what they can do to help stop addiction before it starts.

The meeting is Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park.

Speakers will include Sheriff Rich Stanek, U.S. Attorney Andy Luger, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Jack Riley, and other officials. Representatives from recovery programs and medical officials will also be making presentations.

The sheriff's office says heroin overdose deaths are on the rise and many people who are addicted to heroin first became addicted to opiates in prescription painkillers -- often found in home medicine cabinets.